I would like to hear your comments with regard to the following:
WHAT CRITERIA SHOULD A THEORY FULFILL?
Here is a proposed list of properties that a good ethical theory would at least have:
1) it contains variables in its axioms and may thus cover a wider range of applications than any of the rival theories when these variables are interpreted in terms of specific situations and events;
2) it provides a frame-of-reference to which more sub-models can cohere;
3) this paradigm is a synthesis of the prevailing conventional schools
of thought that the academy teaches, with its stress on character,
happiness; human dignity, universality, obligations, sanctions, conscience, varied phenomenological perspectives, etc., etc.
4) it has a logical thread of reasoning which binds the system together;
.
5) it has already been applied to a wide range of concrete issues and
has provided some sensible, tentative answers;
6) it is compatible with the many and varied forms of The Golden
Rule; - See
http://www.religioustolerance.org/reciproc3.htm and
http://www.religioustolerance.org/reciproc2.htm
7) it incorporates principles such as the avoidance of causing
suffering; natural rights based upon human nature; cultural evolution;
avoidance of double standards, etc, etc.;
8} it has a calculus of values which enables deductions of new
principles;
9) Its definition of the term "Intrinsic Value” overlaps with and
confirms Phenomenology's conception of
Intentionality.;
10) It manages to define "good" in a manner that avoids committing
The Naturalistic Fallacy propounded by G. E. Moore since the Axiom
of Value – hich defines “good” -- employs set theory and class-membership: thus good is not defined in terms of pleasure, preference; feelings, evolution, satisfaction, realization, nor any other naturalistic quality; thus it passes The Open Question Test;
11) it derives a series of 'ethical fallacies' and shows why they are errors in reasoning;
12) it is expandable and has what the renowned Philosopher of Science, Carl G. Hempel,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Gustav_Hempel speaks of as 'theoretical and Empirical import';
13) it can embrace multi-cultural schools of ethical thought such as
Shinto ethics, Confucianism, buddhistic ethics, taoist ethics, etc., which the major academic theories cannot comfortably do;
14) it has a theory of justice, of authenticity, of ethical evolution, of moral corruption, and is able to explain things that the other schools cannot;
15) it is able to define exactly what "Ethics" is as a study in its own
right; it also defines with some precision "morality" and "hypocrisy"
and shows how they vary inversely;
16) it applies to business and management and shares a common
Premise with the prevailing principle that drives enterprises, namely
To add value.
17) the meta-ethics for this theory is able to offer a precise definition
For key terms such as 'better,' 'appreciation,' 'bad,' 'fair,' 'ought',
'approval' etc, No other theory so far accomplishes this. For example the definition of better in the meta-ethics is this: “”X is better than Y” if and only if – all else being equal – X has more features than Y. Hence X is richer in meaning than Y is. (If, say, X refers to an appliance, one of the features may be ‘simplicity of use.’) If the concept is shifted to make it more specific, then the issue of weighting comes into play: the more specific and concrete the concept, the more valuable it is, the more it ‘weighs.’
We must be careful not to unintentionally shift the concept to a lower level of Abstraction.
(Examples are offered in the paper "Ethical Explorations” by M. C. Katz) A better theory will have more predicates in its meaning since it applies to a wider range of data. Based upon reason, a reader, whether a student, or professional, will be able to decide which theory she/he wants to embrace. Each person may choose for himself. He/she may decide he wants the one that has more features relevant to the field and thus complies with the definition of "a better theory than the alternatives.”
For a theory that meets the above criteria, see the two citations to which links were offered in the third post of this thread.
So now tell us what you think. Is this list adequate? Can you supplement it? Would you offer different criteria? What are the features of what you want to see in an Ethical Theory? Do you agree that the above points are what could make an ethical theory "a good ethical theory"?
it has a calculus of values which enables deductions of new